Platania

Discover Platania through the Church of the Prophet Elias: it is the village’s parish church and stands in an amphitheatrical setting near the edge of the settlement. Its building history and paintings give the place a distinct cultural focus. Those interested in church architecture will find specific details here that go beyond a general historical overview.

Church of the Prophet Elias: building history and frescoes

Older parts of the church date from the late Byzantine period. These include the south apse, the upper part of the main apse, the east wall above the two apses, and the eastern section of the south wall. The late Byzantine building phase is therefore evident in several precisely identified parts of the structure.

The interior decoration also brings together different periods: the interior is adorned with frescoes by painters from Kapesovo dating from the mid-18th century, as well as newer frescoes. Those interested in art and architecture can therefore focus on two distinct aspects of the church—the surviving older architectural elements and the paintings from different periods. The church is a tangible point of reference for exploring Platania not only because of its decoration, but also because of its location near the edge of the settlement.

Ioannina: island, castle and museums

Within the wider destination of Ioannina, the island of Ioannina offers a distinctive attraction of its own. It is one of only two inhabited lake islands in Greece. The village on the island is designated a settlement of outstanding natural beauty and probably dates from the 16th century. Two monasteries were founded there during the Byzantine period: the Monastery of Saint Nicholas Philanthropenon, also known as Spanou, and the Monastery of Saint Nicholas Strategopoulou, also known as Diliou.

On the island, the Pamvotis Lake Information Centre is housed in a traditional, listed stone building. It presents information about the lake’s main plants and the fish, birds, amphibians and mammals that live there. If you plan to visit the centre, check its current operating arrangements beforehand. Natural history and the island’s history offer different interests to consider when planning your trip.

Another highlight in the wider destination of Ioannina is the castle, set on a naturally fortified rocky peninsula. The earliest traces of settlement discovered through archaeological investigations date to the Classical and Hellenistic periods; the castle is one of the oldest continuously inhabited fortified settlements in Greece. Within the castle, the Byzantine Museum is located in the southeastern citadel of Itch Kale. It displays silverware in the so-called Treasury at the centre of the citadel, as well as an exhibition on the city’s history in the Fethiye Mosque. The Silversmithing Museum is located in the western bastion tower of the northeastern citadel, Its Kale. Visitors can learn about traditional techniques for shaping and decorating silver objects there.

The underground caves within the citadel are also part of the castle area. They were formerly used as storerooms and prisons and can be accessed from inside the citadel; check current access arrangements before visiting. The Perama Cave Visitor and Reception Centre offers another way to explore natural history and geology, with audiovisual materials and rare palaeontological finds.

Routes, festival and suitable accommodation

For active days in the wider destination of Ioannina, there is a walking and cycling path from Mavili Square to the village of Katsikas. The established route around Lake Pamvotis is 30 kilometres long. These offer two different ways to plan: a route with named endpoints and a circular route with a stated total distance. The Tzamales also add their own cultural highlight: Ioannina’s three-day carnival celebration includes bonfires, music, dancing and bean soup.

When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your stay. If you mainly want to explore the parish church of the Prophet Elias and Platania’s architectural history, focus your search on Platania. If the castle, museums, island or routes in the wider destination of Ioannina are to shape your trip, choose accommodation to suit that focus. This way, you can base your search on the places and themes you actually want to discover.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Elafotopos, Koukouli, Kapesovo, Vikos, Vovoúsa, Klidonia, Anatoli and Kastania.

To the overview of the wider destination: Ioannina.